New Rules to Expand Airline Animal Safety Reporting
The U.S. Department of Transportation has announced new reporting requirements for U.S. based airlines. The new ruling expands the definition of animals to include all cats and dogs transported by the airline. The previous rules did not apply to breeders.
"This rule will provide consumers with a fuller picture of an airline’s safety record when it comes to transporting animals," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. "Consumers deserve clear and accurate information when choosing among air transportation options."
The airlines will also be required to file a yearly report that includes the total number of animals that were lost, injured or died during air transport.
The new reporting requirements will go into effect January 1, 2015.
Related Resources
Need Help?
Have questions about pet air travel? Visit our FAQ page or explore our comprehensive guides.
View FAQsYou Might Also Like
August 2026 Airline Pet Travel Report
This month we have one death to report, from Alaska Airlines, for the travel month of June 2026. On June 12, 2026, a 6-year-old French Bulldog...
2025 Airline Pet Travel Summary
In 2025, U.S. airlines reported 8 pet-related air travel incidents — down 33% from the 12 recorded the prior year. The year's incidents spanned four carriers: Alaska Airlines led with 3 incidents, including 2 deaths, followed by American Airlines with 3 incidents including the year's only reported pet loss. Delta and United Airlines each recorded 1 incident. Deaths fell sharply from 8 in 2024 to 3 in 2025, though the year closed on a somber note with the December death of Meli, a three-year-old Golden Retriever, on an Alaska Airlines flight in Seattle.
January 2026 Airline Pet Travel Report
More great news! November marks the 4th month with no reported pet travel incidents.
What Does AVIH Mean?
Traveling with pets can be stressful, especially when you need to transport them by air. There are various regulations and procedures in place to ensure the safety and well-being of animals in transit. One term that often comes up in this context is **AVIH**
June 2026 Airline Pet Travel Report
Happy to report there were no pet incidents this month! Not a single loss, injury, or death of an animal during air transportation was reported...
CDC announced final rule to its dog and cat importation regulation
On May 13, 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued its final ruling associated with the importation of dogs into the United States to provide clarity and safeguards that address the public health risk of dog-maintained rabies virus variant (DMRVV). This final rule addresses the importation of cats as part of overall changes to the regulations affecting both dogs and cats, but the final rule does not require that imported cats be accompanied by proof of rabies vaccination and does not substantively change how cats are imported into the United States.